Agenda for Crime Scrutiny Panel on Thursday, 1st October, 2015, 7.00 pm

Agenda and minutes

Venue: Conference Room, Civic Centre, Silver Street, Enfield, EN1 3XA. View directions

Contact: Stacey Gilmour - email:  stacey.gilmour@enfield.gov.uk 

Items
No. Item

174.

WELCOME AND APOLOGIES

Minutes:

Apologies for lateness were received from Councillor Hayward and Councillor Hasan.

 

The Chair welcomed all attendees and in particular the Co-optees to the meeting - Natalie Sherman and Katerina Stoyanova, who have been involved with the PEP (Parent Engagement Panel) and Enfield Youth Parliament.

 

175.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Members of the Council are invited to identify any disclosable pecuniary, other pecuniary or non-pecuniary interests relevant to items on the agenda.

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest.

176.

CONFIRMATION OF CO-OPTEES

To agree the appointment of non-voting co-opted members of the Standing Crime Scrutiny Workstream for the 2014-15 Municipal Year.

Minutes:

The appointment of non-voting co-opted members of the Standing Crime Workstream were approved for the 2015-16 Municipal Year.

177.

SSCB PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT pdf icon PDF 7 KB

To receive a report from Andrea Clemons, Head of Community Safety.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Received a report from Rod Bennett on the SSCB Performance Monitoring and Partnership Plan.

 

NOTED:

  1. Performance for a large number of offences were generally showing a reduction – Total Notifiable Offences (-0.6%). ASB calls (-21.7%), Burglary (-10.3%), Theft from Motor vehicles (-22%).  The MOPAC 7 crime categories are showing a -7.5% decrease in the last 12 months.
  2. There has however been an increase in knife crime in the borough and three of the MOPAC indicators are showing increases in the last 12 months including Criminal Damage (+3.1%, Robbery (+12.4%) and Violence with Injury (+10.9%) an increase in Violence against the person of (+11%).
  3. The London borough performance tables show the percentage change for the MOPAC 7 Crime figures for the last year to August 2015 at (-6.5%), which puts Enfield in the first 5 of the 32 boroughs. For Total Notifiable Offences at (-0.4%) - Enfield is in the first 6. 
  4. For vehicle crime, the majority of incidents are thefts from motor vehicles which include a high number of number plate thefts. Whilst the figures for burglary show a 10.3% decrease from the last 12 months, the winter seasonal peak is to come and therefore current initiatives are targeting this crime– SmartWater is currently being deployed through the Neighbourhood Watch schemes and through Metrace.
  5. Violence against women and girls show a slight rise this year with approximately 50 additional reports to police of reported domestic abuse violence with injury.  There has been improved reporting and a small number of people account for a large proportion of cases.  There has been a significant increase in the number of MARAC referrals.
  6. Serious Youth Violence – shows a 19.1% rise in the last 12 months although compared to 2011/12 there is a 1.7% decrease. London overall has had a 13.6% increase. The north and east London areas are seeing a higher increase in this crime.  

 

The following issues were raised

  1. Although statistics show we have a +12.4% increase in robbery in the last 12months, there is actually a -20.3% reduction compared to 2011/12. It was pointed out that the baseline figure is given from 2011/12.  Superintendent Carl Robinson pointed out that more work was being carried out with gang members which has led to more information being reported to the police and more incidents recorded.  Where a robbery has occurred when a knife is also evident, this will now be recorded under two crime categories.
  2. Reference was made to a stabbing in Turkey Street and the need for neighbourhood policing.   It was stated that Operation Teal has been used to target gang members.
  3. When asked how many incidents of gun crime there had been, it was answered that there had been 10 gun discharges over the previous year. The Commissioner is particularly concerned about this issue and is looking at whether there should be more ‘stop and searches’ carried out.
  4. The changing demographics/ diversity of the borough was raised.  It was thought the north and east London areas, which are seeing a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 177.

178.

UPDATE ON POLICE NUMBERS pdf icon PDF 26 KB

To receive a written update from Superintendent Carl Robinson on Police numbers in the Borough.

Minutes:

An update on Police numbers in the Borough was provided by Superintendent Carl Robinson.  He stated that the target for Enfield Police is 561 police officers.  There are currently 554.2 police officers in post which comprises both full time and part time officers. Officers work in three main areas namely - Emergency response, Neighbourhoods, and CID. 

The vacancy rate for Enfield is shown as 1.9% (August figure).  He spoke of the need for the service to be flexible as officers progress in the force and move to other boroughs. Also officers have to provide support for other areas when necessary such as for the Notting Hill Carnival.

 

The following issues were raised

  1. Reference was made to ‘Restricted Officer Strength’ shown in the Boroughs comparison table. This represents officers who are not fully fit.
  2. When asked how young people can be encouraged to join the Police force, Police Sergeant Steve Hicks spoke of the junior police cadets where children from 10 years of age can attend and take part in activities such as the Duke of Edinburgh scheme and where there will be visits from police dog handlers and firearms officers.
  3. When asked how the target strength for Enfield is determined it was noted that this was based on a resource allocation formula, that relates to crime rate, calls and other data. However targets were still based on 2008 figures.
  4. There are 41 PCSO’s in Enfield at present and many felt that their presence was very welcome as they have a good knowledge of the local area.  However decisions regarding the use of PCSO’s will need to be considered for the future. Andrea Clemons spoke of this further under item 6.  
  5. It is anticipated that the Enfield police target number of 561 posts should be reached prior to Christmas and hoped that these positions would include some Sergeant posts. It was noted that

Police Officers have to move to another borough when promoted.

  1. It was requested that details of the diversity make- up of the borough’s Police force be included with the minutes. (These are attached, details are also included for Specials and Police Staff).

 

179.

UPDATE ON POLICE COMMUNITY SUPPORT OFFICERS

To receive a verbal update from Andrea Clemons, Head of Community Safety.

Minutes:

Andrea Clemons spoke of Police Community Support Officers and said discussion on this issue would understandably need to be deferred, possibly until a decision is made by the MPS.

 

The following points were raised

  • There are currently 24 PCSO’s in the borough. 
  • The Metropolitan Police will need to make savings of between, approximately 24% to 40% for future years.  There has been a promise  to maintain 32,000 police officers for the London region. More details will be known by the end of the year.  Public consultation will be undertaken on future arrangements and this will be brought back to the Scrutiny workstream. 
  • Councillor Laban suggested that a meeting be arranged to look at parks contracts with PCSO’s.
  • Carl Robinson spoke of the positive impact of PCSO’s.  He said they provide a visible presence in the neighbourhood and are able to engage with local community and gather intelligence/ information.  Although they do not have the same powers as police officers, they can bring in police officers to detain people where necessary.
  • Tim Fellows, Chair of SNB (Safer Neighbourhood Board) spoke of the SNB’s concern at the possible demise of PCSO’s.  Some reports said it was thought unlikely that there would be a termination of their use altogether and more likely that their numbers may be reduced.
  • A member of the public said the PCSO’s provided a useful conduit between the public and police force, that they had gathered a great deal of local information from his area regarding a brothel and drug houses.
  • Andrea said the council funded PCSO’s teams should always be considered as an additional resource to the warranted officers allocated to the borough.

 

180.

KNIFE CARRYING INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF SCHOOLS pdf icon PDF 75 KB

To receive a report from Acting Police Sergeant Steve Hicks.

Minutes:

A report was received from Police Sergeant Steve Hicks on the work of the Enfield Safer Schools Team and the work and education carried out by them to deter the carrying of weapons by young people.

 

He highlighted the following

  • The Enfield Safer Schools Team consists of 14 officers. Some officers have one dedicated secondary school and others have 2. They also link with the local Primary School concentrating on years 5 and 6.

·         The enforcement duty is seen as a last option, the main focus for officers is in gaining the trust of pupils and looking out for their general safety. This may involve patrols undertaken after school time.  Advice is given to youngsters on how to reduce crime by looking after their property and recent initiative to immobilise their phone.

·         Operation Crest is a project that has been undertaken in secondary schools and aimed at youth violence, knife crime and gang awareness.  Presentations are given by police officers, a London Paramedic, an ex- offender and a bereaved mother also gives a speech.  The presentation is hard- hitting and has been showed at 5 secondary schools. The aim is for all schools to receive the presentation by the end of the school year.

·         Weapon sweeps have taken place to detect and deter the hiding of weapons.  Every school has had 2 sweeps to date.  Knife arches have also been used although there is a reticence by some head teachers in their use.

 

The following issues were raised

  1. A member of the public thought that some children may be too young to be exposed to this information.  It was stated that a lot of young people thought the presentations and weapon searches were a good thing and felt protected as a result of them happening.
  2. It was asked how success from the Operation Crest project could be measured.  Police Sergeant Steve Hicks said this was difficult to quantify but there is a questionnaire for young people to complete and sometimes this leads to follow up issues with  young people involved.
  3. When asked what happens when a knife is found during a weapon sweep it was answered that a positive arrest policy is undertaken.  It was noted that there were very few weapons actually found.  School sanctions may also be appropriate for other items found such as for a school compass or craft scissors.
  4. Natalie Sherman said that together with some other parents from the Parent Engagement Panel she had seen the presentation as part of Operation Crest she thought it was an eye-opening and excellent project.  She thought it would be useful for other parents to view this, especially as this subject was sometimes a difficult one to discuss with your child.
  5. It was discussed that the bereaved mother who has been working on Operation Crest was hoping to do more work with parents.
  6. Weapon sweeps are carried out at the beginning of school and it was asked if this would be better done at the end of the school  ...  view the full minutes text for item 180.

181.

WORK PROGRAMME 2015/16 pdf icon PDF 209 KB

To note the Workstream’s Work Programme for 2015/16.

Minutes:

The Work Programme for 2015/16 was noted.

 

182.

MINUTES OF THE MEETING 18 MARCH 2015 pdf icon PDF 109 KB

To receive and agree the Minutes of the meeting held on 18 March 2015.

Minutes:

The Minutes of the 18 March 2015 were AGREED

 

183.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Minutes:

  • A member of the public from Bowes ward spoke of his concern that the future 24/7 opening of the tube would lead to more incidents of burglaries and anti-social behaviour in this area
  • The legal aspects relating to the use of laughing gas canisters were discussed.

 

184.

DATES OF FUTURE MEETINGS

To note the dates of future meetings as being:

 

21 January 2016

22 March 2016

Minutes:

Post Meeting Note that the date of the next Crime Scrutiny Standing Workstream has been moved

from the 21 January 2016 to Tuesday 12 January 2016.

 

Information: This report provides diversity data of officers and staff by both Ethnicity and Gender

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Substantive Rank/Band

BME

 

BME Total

Ethnicity Unknown

 

 

Ethnicity Unknown Total

Non BME

 

Non BME Total

Grand Total

 

Female

Male

 

Female

Male

(blank)

Female

Male

 

 

Band E

5

9

14

1

 

 

1

20

20

40

55

Chief Inspector

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

1

2

2

Chief Superintendent

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

1

1

Detective Chief Inspector

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

1

1

Detective Constable

4

11

15

1

 

 

1

12

20

32

48

Detective Inspector

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

2

3

3

Detective Sergeant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5

8

13

13

Detective Superintendent

 

 

 

 

1

 

1

 

 

 

1

Inspector

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

4

5

5

Police Constable

19

56

75

 

 

 

 

120

254

374

449

Police Sergeant

2

3

5

 

 

 

 

11

25

36

41

Special Constable

12

24

36

 

1

 

1

23

47

70

107

Special Inspector

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

1

1

Special Sergeant

 

1

1

 

 

 

 

 

1

1

2

Superintendent

 

1

1

 

 

 

 

 

1

1

2

Unbanded

8

7

15

1

1

 

2

8

7

15

32

(blank)

 

 

 

1

1

 

2

 

 

 

2

 

50

112

162

4

4

 

8

204

391

595

765